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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

a year ago 0 +0 / -0 812

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Days: 957 Hours: 8

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Not One Puff Ever (NOPE)

Tim

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 13

Hi and congratulations on 30 days! Yes i know smoking is such a drastic shock to your system, both physically and mentally, and it takes a lot out of you. Quitting is hard work and it can wear you out, but stay with it. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES, BUT DELAY, DELAY, DELAY. You will make it through it, and the urge will go away. When it does, celebrate! Take it one urge at a time, and you can do it. .Everyone will tell you it gets better with time, and it does. Keep up the good work!.You can try Hypnosis By Joseph R Giove.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2508

Hello Josie28!

Congratulation's on your 35 days of freedom from nicotine

I do have one question? Like Jim was asking, I was wondering what the name is of the natural based supplement you are using. That's if you don't mind sharing it with us here.

I am also going cold turkey again and I sure could use a little help with opening up my dopamine receptors right about now and sure would like to give a proven natural supplement a try..It just might make it a little easier for me and others to be around me. Now that I am not smoking again I have been feeling some sadness/irritability at times again and much more than usual. These emotions do seem to come out of nowhere sometimes. Kind of insidious in nature..

Anyway I sure would like to know what supplement you are trying?

So I can give it a try too..it might even help with my concentration which would be great too..:)

Thanks for sharing..

Red..

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey Josie!!!

Go with what is getting you there! You have 7 weeks under your belt now and for me, that would mean another reason to celebrate and reward myself! I would also be interested to know what the natural based supplement is that you are using, if you don't mind sharing the information.

Good luck with your new case study and dissertation! Personally, I would think that attempting something like that while trying to quit would lead me right back to smoking!!!

Then again, getting after making it to week 7, there was no way I was going to ever light up again!

Hang in there! You're doing great so far!!!

Jim

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12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 618

Dear Josie,

I too studied Psychology.....I did insert the laughter in your post.....what a bunch we are. While studying anatomy 40 years ago, we cut up cancerous lungs, and the first thing we all did when it was over??? Yes! we had a cigarette!!!! (including the lecturer!)

I also thought that support groups would not be for me. I was here at SSC all the time when I first quit, and 9+ years later, I keep trying to give back. It's a great place!

Congratulations on your first month! Keep fighting!

Love Lolly.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Thank you all so much for your support! I have long known the importance of support groups. Until now, I did not understand the sheer need.

I am still astonished in some moments that I do not want a cigarette (e.g. while enjoying a glass of wine!). Still, other moments I am enraged that I am overwhelmed with a craving... especially when the urge occurs in a situation that was not associated with smoking in the past (e.g. falling asleep).

My degree is in psychology. I have spent years studying in the field. My career is now a behavioral psychologist. You'd think I could just write myself up a proper, fancy behavior plan and be done with it!

I have chosen to fight this battle without the assistance of NRT or prescription medication. [Caution...crazy hypocritical comment approaching] I prefer to make natural and organic life choices [insert laughter here...I smoked almost a pack of cigarettes every day for nearly 15 years]. I am using myself as my own case study. I sense another dissertation in my future! In the first couple weeks, my strongest symptoms were an inability to concentrate and extreme sadness/irritability. I knew that my dopaminergic system was under attack as I withdrew nicotine with no warning. Therefore, I found an evidence-based natural supplement to help open dopamine receptors. While I have not noticed a significant impact, I think it helped to somewhat take the edge off. Perhaps the effect was more for those around me... at least I am now tolerable to be around!

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1140

Hi Josie28,

I think we sometimes disappoint ourselves when we raise our expectations too high too quickly. It is OK to have crummy days and cravings at this point...and at any point, really.

I suspect that you've spent a lot of time and energy fighting those feelings. Maybe try just accepting them. Breathe in what it feels like to want a cigarette really badly and really feel all the discomfort that goes with that. Then breathe it out. If there is more of that feeling, keep on taking it in, feeling it, and observing it. Notice what it physically feels like, what it reminds you of, and what thoughts seem to go with it. This exercise can help with a few things: 1) It gives you something to focus on instead of getting all panicked/ frustrated/ defeated/ etc. over the feeling. 2) It helps you to better understand your own feelings and triggers.

Even now, I occasionally need to use this tool. I've realized at different points and in different ways how so many of my "craves" really weren't about cigarettes at all. Instead, they were about negative emotions that I didn't want to experience and had been able to conceal by smoking in the past. Lately, the uncomfortable feeling that's been popping up a lot for me is sadness, and I'm learning to just accept it and cry instead of smoking. In the past, I would have regarded those tears as signs of weakness, but I'm learning that this is actually how normal, healthy people do it.

...This whole quitting business certainly is a journey. Hang in there!

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12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Josie,

What you are describing is completely normal unfortunately. Everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms and benefits of quiting differently and even at different time frames. It's also very normal to have strong cravings after 30 days. The longer you stay smoke free the easier it will become.

I am glad to hear you are stuborn

. It sounds like you will fight through this no matter what it takes! In the mean time we are here to listen (read) and offer tips where we can. You are not in this alone.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey Josie!!!

Way to go!!! One month is a huge milestone to achieve on this journey! Hopefully you did reward yourself well and I do hope that it helped ease the cravings! Remember to reward yourself often, at least daily like I did! It really helped me in the beginning to know that my reward would be awaiting me for making it through another day of freedom! I know how very hard it can be in the beginning of our quits! I can relate to everything you said below and it truly sucks! Just know that it WILL get better as time goes by! This is a terrible addiction and sometimes you just have to get totally pissed off at it to keep on winning the war and stay on the path to freedom!

I don't know if you considered using an NRT to help you along. I know that the patch, gum and Chantix/Champix has helped many here to succeed. I used almost all of them and finally discovered Chantix. It was an excellent drug for me and really helped to minimize my cravings. Using an NRT may be helpful if the incessant cravings don't go away soon! Anyways, you ARE on the right path, so keep your eyes on the prize... FREEDOM!!! It is totally worth the effort you will put into your forever quit!!!

Jim

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12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 618

Hi Lemon Twist and Josie,

A roller coaster is experienced by many/most quitters, and not just in the first few weeks.......it can continue for some time. There will be bad times, as there are in life....just remember that NOTHING gets better by having a cigarette. Some of the cravings may seem worse to you now and again, especially after a 'plateau' week. This is the Nicodemon/your addiction reminding you he/it is still there and is looking out for any opportunity to feed it. Your brain is craving a 'reward' but you have to fight as hard as you can not to give in...if you do, you will go back to square one and then have to repeat it all again.

Prepare ahead for the bad times...see if you can find different rewards for yourself, or different things to eat or suck or bite down on. It will feel never ending for a while, and you will feel like you do on a roller coaster. I can empathise with you, but I can also tell you how amazing it feels when it stops. Do remain strong and positive, and...

Whatever it takes, just don't smoke!!!

Love Lolly.

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